Vulcan documentary tonight ch4 1930

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Could not see it posted. Guy Martin: Last Flight of the.... ...Vulcan Bomber: Guy Martin and a team of engineers prepare the last airworthy Vulcan bomber for its farewell tour in a programme that also tells the definitive story of this iconic plane. [Also in HD]
 
Spotted this the other day.
Set to record :-)
 
b****r forgot to set to record and missed it DOH
 
Its on now.....are you not in front of a TV?
 
Will have to use catch up
 
Very good programme. Guy is so enthusiastic.
 
Will have watch on a catch up service but also I wonder if there is or will be a DVD or blue ray?
 
It's repeated on the 4seven HD channel. 12am Wednesday I think.
 
I thought it was worth watching
 
I watched a bit of it but to be honest its not my bag.
but I was amused when it was said that the spitfires were easy to keep airborne as its all string and levers and could be built in a shed.
I think the Vulcan bomber is not all that iconic in many respects it was a symbol of a dark age of the RAF as they were built to deliver nukes at a moments notice.
I am impressed by the technology of its day thought but would not pop money in that tin to keep it airborne.
 
Saw most of the documentary and was impressed by the dedication of the teams involved in flying her and keeping her airworthy. Glad we saw her at the Dawlish air day since the South West was a bit ignored as far as the farewell flight goes!
 
lots of people watching it in dusty rooms, like me I got something in my eye...
 
Mr Bump said:
I watched a bit of it but to be honest its not my bag.
but I was amused when it was said that the spitfires were easy to keep airborne as its all string and levers and could be built in a shed.
I think the Vulcan bomber is not all that iconic in many respects it was a symbol of a dark age of the RAF as they were built to deliver nukes at a moments notice.
I am impressed by the technology of its day thought but would not pop money in that tin to keep it airborne.
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Ah see I have memories of it flying around when in service, coming into airshows throttled back behind the crowd, then full throttle climb and roll to catch everyone out. Stunningly amazing performing aircraft.
 
Byker28i said:
Ah see I have memories of it flying around when in service, coming into airshows throttled back behind the crowd, then full throttle climb and roll to catch everyone out. Stunningly amazing performing aircraft.
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Ditto. To see that aircraft manoevering like one a 10th of it's size was amazing first hand.
 
Byker28i said:
Ah see I have memories of it flying around when in service, coming into airshows throttled back behind the crowd, then full throttle climb and roll to catch everyone out. Stunningly amazing performing aircraft.
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exactly, its a nice piece of engineering but has not served special time, not been involved in major roles even? Dunno maybe wrong there?
Happy to see it still flying as long as its purely private funding and no public funding.
 
Mr Bump said:
exactly, its a nice piece of engineering but has not served special time, not been involved in major roles even? Dunno maybe wrong there?
Happy to see it still flying as long as its purely private funding and no public funding.
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Depends what you mean as "special time".

They flew bombing raids in the Falklands War to very good effect.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/OperationBlackBuck.cfm
 
viv1969 said:
Depends what you mean as "special time".

They flew bombing raids in the Falklands War to very good effect.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/OperationBlackBuck.cfm
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yes I read that story "wasn't very good though"

Of the 21 bombs, one hit the runway at its mid point cratering the concrete, the rest fell to one side and caused serious damage to airfield installations, aircraft and stores.

it looks like the B52s did the job :-)

All joking aside though, yes I recognize they did a job, myself I just don't see they are that special a case for preservation.
Maybe the answer is a levy on air shows going direct to the planes and there restorers
 
Mr Bump said:
yes I read that story "wasn't very good though"

Of the 21 bombs, one hit the runway at its mid point cratering the concrete, the rest fell to one side and caused serious damage to airfield installations, aircraft and stores.

it looks like the B52s did the job :)

All joking aside though, yes I recognize they did a job, myself I just don't see they are that special a case for preservation.
Maybe the answer is a levy on air shows going direct to the planes and there restorers
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As you say, joking aside, other missions were cancelled, others more successful, for the record.
I can think of bigger wastes of public money already in place than the upkeep of Vulcan.
 
the mission to the Falklands was unprecedented. what with the multiple in flight refuelling relay, pressing on despite not knowing if they had enough fuel to return.

yeah only 1 bomb hit target (all that was needed to put the runway out of action) but i wonder how many more ships the argies would have sunk otherwise.
 
not to mention that the bombs that missed the runway did a load of damage to argentine stores and aircraft

Cmdr Sharkey Ward (comander harriers on invincible during the war) argues that the harriers could have done it better/cheaper in his book 'sea harrier over the falklands' however he's missing the point that they could also have been lost attempting it, and without the harriers the task force would have been very vulnerable so MOD probably made the right call to use the vulcans
 
neil_g said:
the mission to the Falklands was unprecedented. what with the multiple in flight refuelling relay, pressing on despite not knowing if they had enough fuel to return.
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Have you see the footage?...like a ballet dance :lol:

neil_g said:
yeah only 1 bomb hit target (all that was needed to put the runway out of action) but i wonder how many more ships the argies would have sunk otherwise.
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One bomb on the first raid.

Raid 2 caused heavier crater damage, anti-radar runs were successful in later missions, and other facility areas sustained damage.

Why do folk insist on concentrating on the 1 bomb in the first run?

Makes me Grrrrrrrrrr.
 
Mr Bump said:
I watched a bit of it but to be honest its not my bag.
but I was amused when it was said that the spitfires were easy to keep airborne as its all string and levers and could be built in a shed.
I think the Vulcan bomber is not all that iconic in many respects it was a symbol of a dark age of the RAF as they were built to deliver nukes at a moments notice.
I am impressed by the technology of its day thought but would not pop money in that tin to keep it airborne.
Click to expand...

Have a google about and see what role the Vulcan played in the Falklands - its not all about the Coldwar ! ( Blast too late)
 
Mr Bump said:
exactly, its a nice piece of engineering but has not served special time, not been involved in major roles even? Dunno maybe wrong there?
Happy to see it still flying as long as its purely private funding and no public funding.
Click to expand...

It had a lottery grant to help get it flying, the rest and all running costs have been public funded.

As for major roles - it played a major role as a deterrent, just because it wasn't used doesn't mean it wasn't very effective in it's primary role, to be there as a valid threat.
 
big soft moose said:
not to mention that the bombs that missed the runway did a load of damage to argentine stores and aircraft

Cmdr Sharkey Ward (comander harriers on invincible during the war) argues that the harriers could have done it better/cheaper in his book 'sea harrier over the falklands' however he's missing the point that they could also have been lost attempting it, and without the harriers the task force would have been very vulnerable so MOD probably made the right call to use the vulcans
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Sharkey ward was an interesting, although very self opinionated person. Ever want to get him annoyed, ask about the medals given to the RAF for the vulcan raid compared to those given to the harrier pilots.

The decision was taken that the Sea Harriers were too important for air defence and not best suited to runway denial, despite wards insistence However 9 harriers did attack shortly afterwards with cluster bombs. There were some later runs with 1000lb bombs but some of those failed to detonate due to fusing issues..
 
neil_g said:
sorry should have said only 1 hit the runway.
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That was the aim of the mission, to disable the runway, not destroy it. Worked perfectly, prevented the Argentine's using the runway and only took 2 days to repair after we took the airfield back, allowing reinforcements and supplies to be brought in.
 
Just watched it and enjoyed every minute!
 
neil_g said:
Vulcan team looking for a new project, perhaps a mosquito :love:
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eeyore said:
It looks like they are, it should be easier then the vulcan.
I always thought that there was one flying.
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Much as I would love to see a Mosquito in flight my greatest regret is that we grounded and sold off for a song the remaining Harriers. I was there at the fence line watching the last mass flight and last landings, a freezing cold day but great. Why on earth did "they" not retain one in a flight ready state?
 
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